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SALISBURY HISTORYon July 2 and voted to allow each proprietor to take a partner.The new partners would own half as much land as thefirst proprietors. These men were John Smith, NathanielStarbuck, Edward Starbuck, Thomas Look, Robert Barnard,James Coffin, Robert Pike, Tristram Coffin Jr., ThomasColeman and Thomas Mayhew Jr. In the records, these menwere known as the twenty First Purchasers. The last proprietorsmeeting was held in Salisbury May 10, 1661.In the Fall of 1659, Thomas Macy, with his wife and fivechildren, arrived on Nantucket Island. Coming with themfrom Salisbury were Edward Starbuck, Isaac Coleman, atwelve year old orphan, and eighteen year old James Coffin.They were the first white settlers of Nantucket. During thetrip, Macy’s wife pleaded with him to turn back, but Macywas determined to make a home in the new land. The Macychildren were ages four to thirteen and their first winter onthe Island was spent in a small hut. Fortunately, the Indianswere friendly and helped the new settlers. Thomas MacyJr. died while quite young.In the spring of 1660, Edward Starbuck returned toDover to give a report and brought back to the Island tenmore families. The proprietors found it to be rather a barrenland, sandy and impossible to grow crops. There were notrees large enough for building homes. Some, like WilliamPike, became discouraged and withdrew from the project.Those who stayed were Tristram Coffin Sr., John Swain Sr.,Richard Swain, Thomas Macy, Robert Barnard, James Coffin,Thomas Coleman and Edward Nathaniel Starbuck.It was realized at the last meeting held in Salisbury thata variety of craftsmen were needed on Nantucket. The Colemanfamily was experienced in the care of sheep and wereasked to join the other proprietors. Peter Folger had beenteaching the Indians reading and writing. He went as an24